Travel trends across the last quarter of 2021 have revealed Maldives as a top choice for holiday destinations among travelers across India. The post pandemic months have witnessed a sharp spike in tourist interest in the islands. In fact, Maldives, which was earlier sought out exclusively by luxury travelers or honeymooners, now appears to be highly popular among all types of travelers.
Data collected by Thrillophilia through bookings on the website has revealed that Maldives is now considerably popular among tourists from smaller Indian cities as well. A large number of people were seen interested in Thrillophilia’s Maldives Packages. Apart from the regular travel rush from bigger metros, Thrillophilia has also noted an increase in tourist traffic from two tier cities across the last three months of 2021, and the data collated by the company hints that this upward trend will only continue.
Jaipur and Indore amongst the top tier two cities that prefer Maldives for vacation
The popularity of Maldives as a holiday destination is gradually spreading across all cities in India. This popularity is especially felt in the case of Jaipur, with travelers from Jaipur accounting for about 3.35% of the whole tourist influx from India across the last quarter of 2021. Closely following are Indore and Lucknow, with the tourist traffic of both cities making up 2.36% and 1.30% of the entire cohort, respectively.
Tourists from smaller cities are gradually increasing travel to Maldives as well. Patna, for example, accounts for 0.91% of the travel rush, while Amritsar contributes 0.65%. Other cities where Maldives is asserting itself as a viable tourist spot include Chandigarh (2.82%), Surat(2.65%), Nagpur (0.68%) and Agra (1.71%). Moreover, a major tourist influx of nearly 86.34% was observed from tier one Indian cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai along with few other tier two cities like Vadodara, Bhubaneswar, Bhopal, etc.
Spending capacity of travelers in Maldives from tier two Indian cities
The reinstatement of cross-country travel in the post-COVID second wave has revealed an increase in the spending capacity among tourists across one and two tier cities alike. Tourists among smaller cities are now seeking longer, more luxurious vacations as well. The influx of tourists from cities such as Jaipur, Kochi or Patna to Maldives has been significantly higher in the post-pandemic months as compared to earlier years. Owing to the travel hiatus over the months of lockdown, travelers are now looking for truly immersive experiences with the aim of making memories that will last a lifetime.
As observed by Thrillophilia in the last quarter of 2021, about 15% of travelers from non-metro cities to Maldives are spending less than 1 lakh on their trip. Around 57% of tourists spend between INR 1 lakh and INR 2 lakhs, opting for longer trips with luxury stays and some experiences. Luxury travelers from cities such as Indore, Surat or Jaipur comprise 28% of the whole traveling cohort, spending more than INR 2 lakhs on their Maldives vacations. These tourists generally opt for the best resorts, choosing high-end accommodations and comprehensive tours that include specialty dining experiences and adventure sports.
Tourist from tier two cities preferred these resorts in Maldives:
Maldives' resort islands being it's biggest allure, the high end luxury resorts around the archipelago have proven to be the preferred choice of accommodation among tourists. The 4 star resorts are the biggest sellers here and resorts such as Adaaran Club Rannalhi and Reethi Faru Resort are common names on itineraries. Oblu Nature Resort at Helengeli is another popular choice, while Centara Ras Fushi and Medhufushi Island Resort follow close on the list.
Tourists traveling with a big budget, however, generally choose to go all the way when it comes to the island stay experience. Data collected by Thrillophilia has revealed how luxury travelers from non metropolitans such as Agra or Indore opt for all inclusive stays as well. Five star luxury resorts have proven their popularity among tourists in Maldives, especially among those opting for immersive honeymoon travels. The water bungalows at Oblu Select at Sangeli or Grand Park Kodhipparu are known for their world-class accommodation. On the other hand, the house reef located just off the Taj Coral Reef resort makes it especially popular among travelers looking for water adventures.
